Porifera
plural noun
Po·rif·era
pəˈrif(ə)rə,
pōˈr-
: a phylum of primitive invertebrate animals comprising the sponges and having a cellular grade of construction without true tissue or organ formation but with the body permeated by canals and chambers through which a current of water flows and passes in its course through one or more cavities lined with choanocytes
poriferal adjective
-rəl
poriferan adjective or noun
-rən
Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from Latin porus pore + -i- + -fera, neuter plural of -fer -ferous